Home and Community-based Services as a State Plan Option
Section 6086 of the Deficit Reduction Act
Focused Open Door Forum
Monday, May 8, 2006
1:30-3:00 PM EDT Conference Call Only

This New Freedom Initiative Open Door Forum will focus on Section 6086 of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA).

Short Summary of Section 6086

Section 6086, Expanded Access to Home and Community-Based Services for the Elderly and Disabled, offers states the opportunity to provide a comprehensive program of home and community-based services under the Medicaid State Plan as an optional service. Prior to the enactment of the DRA, such a program of home and community-based services could only be provided through section 1915 (c) waivers. The DRA allows states to provide the statutory HCBS services to qualified individuals without applying for a waiver. Unlike the waiver, there is no cost-neutrality test, and the HCBS program may serve persons who do not require an institutional level of care. The Open Door Forum will provide an overview of the provisions of Section 6086 and invite participants to share their thoughts on the implementation of the optional benefit.

This Open Door Forum will attempt to answer the following discussion questions:

1) What are the differences between the HCBS State Plan Option and the HCBS waiver program?

2) As States are considering whether/how they might use the new State Plan option, what are some important considerations for CMS to be aware of as they implement the new legislation? What is necessary to make this benefit as useful as possible?

We look forward to your participation.

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Open Door Forum Participation Instructions:

Dial: 1-800-837-1935
Reference Conference ID: 8722262

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